Internal-combustion engine.



0. A STRANAHAN. INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE. Arrmomron FILED MAR. 9, 190a. RENEWED JULY 12, 1909.

Patented Mar.1,1910.

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DLIN A. STRANAHAN, OF NEW YORK, N.

INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE;

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 1, 1910.

Application filed March 9, 19Q8, Serial N6. 420,505. Renewed .1 uly 12, 1909. Serial No. 507,249.

tion.

a This invention relates to internal eombustion engines and has for,its object the provision of a means whereby the volume of the compression space in the cylinder may be varied either manually or automatically during the operation of the engine in order that a practically constant compression may be maintained in the cylinder under varying loads.

The invention consists in a movable device adapted to be moved to a greater or less degree into the compression space of the cylinder, the .movement being controlled by a suitable governor and the extent of movementbeing proportionate to the load and to the amount of combustible being admitted to the cylinder.

. The invention consists further in a means of maintaining said movable member in adjusted position during the compression and the explosion of the combustible.

The invention further consists'in operat-' ing said movable member by means of'a circulating fluid admitted to an inclosed space 111 the rear of said movable member and retained therein until said, member has performed its function. e

The invention further consists in a balanced mechanism interposed between the enginc governor and said devices for changing the volume of the compression space whereby the operation of the latter will be regulated by the action of said governor.

The inventlon further consists in certai novel features of construction and arrangement of parts which will be readily under stood by reference to the deseriptionof the drawings and to the claims hereinafter given. I

Ofthe drawings: Figure'l represents an elevation of an engine cylinder showing this improved invention applied thereto, the mixing chamber and the governor mechanism being shown-in section. Fig. 2 represents a vertical section of the upper end of the engine cylinder with the improvements thereon, said figure being drawn to an enlarged scale. Fig. 3 represents a sectional detail, the cutting plane being on line 3-3 on Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 represents an elevation of the connection between the fulcrumed governor controlled lever and the stem of the member adapted to be moved into the compression space of the engine for the purpose of changing thevolume of said space.

' Similar characters designate like parts throughout the several'figures of the drawlngs.

In the drawings, 10 represents the usual crank chamber casing of an interlu ilcombustion engine having mounted thereon the cylinder 11, the upper end of which is provided with an opening 12 to which is fitted the movable member 13. This movable member is cup-shaped,- as shown in Fig. 2, and the bowl thereof is partially filled by means of a chambered extension 14 formed on a closure 15 secured to the cylinder 11 in any well-known manner. This] extension 14 is provided with an 'inclosed chamber 16 communicating by means of the'passage or opening 17 with the space 18 between the outer surface of said extension 14 and the interior of'the cup'shaped movable member 13. z

A. suitable fluid is admitted through the pipe 19 to the chamber 16 and an outlet pipe 20 extends from said chamber 16 to any suitable point. The fluid entering the chamber 16 throu h'the pipe 19 is caused to constantly circu ate in said chamber under suit able pressureby means of the pump 21, which may be driven by means of the belt '22 from the shaft 23 or said pump may be driven in any other well-known manner. The fluid is admitted to the pump 21 through the pipefl l and is forced through the pipe 25 to the pipe 19 and also to a flexiblc pipe member 13, saidchamber also communicat ing by means of the passage 30 with the space between said pipe 28 and the interior wall of the cylindrical stem 27 of the member 13.- This construction permits a cooling fluid to be forced by means of thelpump 21 35 tion. The tension of this spring 42 may be through the pipe 25 and 26 into the interior of the chamber 29 and therefrom through municates.

. tudinallyof said stem Within the cylinder 11 isthe usual reciprocatingpiston 33 which is shown in Fig. 2 at the upper end of its stroke, leaving a compression space 34- between the end thereof and the inner end of the movable member '13. The inlet valve 35 is adapted to admit an explosive mixture to said'compression chamber in any well-known manner while the valve 36 of any well-known construction and operable in any well-known .manner,

regulates the exhaust therefrom.

The spark plug 37 is of any well-known construction and operates in the usual manner.

Vithin the chamber 16 extends a boss 38 formed upon the inner face of the closure 15, this boss forming a bearing for the reciprocating valve 39 which extends through the passage 17 and is adapted to close said passage under certain conditions which will be hereinafter stated. The upper end of the valve 39 is provided with an outwardly extending flange 40 which co-acts with the shoulder'41 formed in the boss 38 to limit the downward movement of said. valve 39 a s ring 42 within the interior chamber of sai valve 39 and surrounding the stem 27 normally retaining said valve in open posiregulated by means of the threaded plug 43 of-a suitable stufing'box in an obvious manner.-

The opening through the closure 15 and boss or hub 38 is closed by means of-the member 44 which forms a bearing for the stem 27 in which said stem is adapted to be reciprocated. The stem 27 has threaded thereto the nut 45 which may be adjusted longi- 27 to limit the move- ,ment of the member 13 in one direction in case of accident by coming in contact with the end of the bearing 44 while the movement of" the member 13 in the other direction is'limited by means of the u per end thereof coming in contact with t e. inner face of the closure 15. p

(lo-acting with the nut 45 is a forked lever 46 having. intermediate its ends a detent 47 into which extends a fulcrum 48 formed upona sleeve 49 mounted upon a support 50 secured to the upper endof said cylinder 11. The sleeve 49 is provided with a suitable flange 51 between which and the closure 15 is interposed a spring 52. In suitable bearings 53 formed upon the cylinder 11 is a rocker shaft 54 to which is rigidly secured a slotted'member 55 through the slot 56 of which extends the outer end of said lever 46. Interposed between the upper end of said slot 46 and the upper face of the lever 45 is an anti-friction roller 57 provided with a central flange 58 extending into grooves 59 and 60 in said rocker member 55 and lever 46, said flange 58 serving to maintain said roller at all times transverse to the length of said lever 46. Secured to the rocker shaft 54 is an arm 61 the outer end of which is provided with an opening therethrough through which extends a vertical rod 62 forming a part of a governor 63 of any well-known construction driven by means of a bevel pinion meshing with a bevel gear 65 on the shaft 23. This shaft 23 has mounted thereon a gear 66 meshing with a gear 67 keyed to the usual crank shaft 68. The rod 62 has threaded thereto on either side of said arm 61 the nuts 6970 interposed between which and said arm are the balancing springs 7172. By properly adjusting the nuts 69-7O upon the rod 62, the balancing springs 71-72 will perform the function of regulating the effect of the movement of the governor rod 62 upon the arm.61 and in turn the slotted member 55.

The rod 62 has secured thereon arms 7374 between which is interposed a valve stem 75 having formed thereon the valve 76 and valve 77 ada ted respectively to control the admission of air and gas to the mixing chamber v78 from which the explosive mixture passes through the pipe 79 to the inlet passage 80 in the cylinder 11. From this passage 80 the explosive mixture is adapted to be admitted to the compression space whenever the valve 35 is opened in the usual operation of the engine.

When the rocker arm 55 is in its normal position, as indicated in Fig. 2, the tension of the spring 52 is sufficient to substantially balance the movable member 13, the pressure of the circulating water against said movable member and the suction in the compression space 34 when the valve 39 is opened. Itl is obvious that if any part of the load isisuddenly thrown oif, the governor 63 will act to move the rod 62 upwardly thereby admitting a smaller amount of explosive mixture to the cylinder 11. lVhen a lesslamount of explosive mixture is thus admitted to the cylinder, it is quite obvious that iniorder to secure a constant compression it i essential that the volume of the compression s ace in said cylinder should be reduced sirnu taneously with the reduction in the amount of mixture being admitted to the cylinder. This is accomplished through the medium of the arm 61 which is raised by the rod 62 moving the rocker member 55 toward the fulcrum 47.

This change in leverage of the lever 46 causes'the pressure in the space 18 to exceed the tension of the spring 52 and thereby permits this spring 52 to be compressed entrees and more of ,the circulating fluid to be. admitted from the chamber 16 into the space 18 and move the member 13 downwardly into the compression space 3i and thereby reduce the volume therein.

It is obvious that the proportion of the compression space displaced by the movable member 13 will be in proportion to the distance of movement of the roller 57 toward the fulcrum 47." When an additional load is placed upon the engine it is obvious that the governor will act to cause the rod 62 to be lowered and in so doing the rocker member will be moved away from the fulcrum a7. This movement will so change the leverage of the lever 46 that the tension of the spring 52 will exceed the pressure upon the member 13 and permit said spring to so act upon said lever 46 that the member 13 will be moved upwardly. It is obvious that the amount of movement of the member 13 will be in proportion to the distance that the roller 57 moves away from the ful-' crum 47.

To allow the outward movement of the member 13 and thereby increase the volume of the compression space for increased loads the spring 42 has sufficient tension to hold the valve 39 in its open position against'the pressure upon its face due to the pressure of fluid in the space 18 created by the tension of the spring 52. To safeguard against failure of the spring 42, there is a small opening 13* between the space 18 and chamber 16 for the gradual transfer of fluid from said space 18 to the chamber 16. This provides a nicely balanced mechanism interposed between the usual governor of an in-' ternal combustion engine and a device for changing the volume of the compression space in said engine, the movementof which is regulated by means of the governor without throwing any material additional work thereon, the decrease and increase in the volume of the compression space being always proportioned to the decreased or increased load to be cared for by the engine. By such a construction the amount of compression in theengine is made practically constant for all loads. It is obvious that when the space 18 is filled with the circulating fluid and compression takes place within the space 34, the member 13 will move toward the closure creating a pressure of fluid in the space 18 upon the face of the valve 17 in excess of the tension of the spring 42, causing it to close and retain within the space. 18 a compact mass of fluid which will preventfurther movement of themember 13 until' the compression has occurred and the explosion has taken place.

An important feature of the invention is thefunction of the nut to limit the in ward movement of the member 13 by rest ing against the end of the lever 46. The

adjustment of this nut 45 upon the stem 27 fixes the normal position of the member13 in the compression space 34 and thereby de termines the compression of the explosive mixture at normal load. The operation of the device as explained then practically maintains this compression under varying loads. Di flerent kinds and qualities of explosive mixtures require ditferent-degrees of compression for best results. The simple adjustment of the nut 45, which can be made while the engine is running, fixes the compression at any desired amount. When a plurality of cylinders are used in the same engine, the adjustment for degree of com pression is independent for each cylinder.

The invention may be applied to any type or style of internal combustion engine,

either with a single cylinder or a plurality oi; cylinders or either vertical or horizontal engines, single or double acting, it only being necessary to change the details of construe; tion to comply with the various conditions which exist in the difl'erent types, one or more of these details in construction being capable of variation Withoutaffecting the principles of the invention.

While in larger sizes of engines it is found quite desirable to'cool the movable member 13 by means of circulating through a cham ber thereina cooling agent, it is obvious that in the smaller sizes this means of cooling the member may be entirely dispensed With, the chamber 29 being omitted, and the stem 27 being made solid. The member. 44 is provided with a vent 81 conununicating with the chamber in the boss 38 of the closure 15 which chamber may be partially filled, with oil for lubrication. When compression takes place within the space 34 and the pres sure caused thereb is transmitted through the member 13 to 0 use the valve 39, the circulating fluid contained in the space 18 will be pocketed in such a manner that the mov-' able member will be held in fixed position correspondingwith the position of the governor for the particular load.

As the movement of the member 13 is limited in both directions, even should an accident occur to any of the balanced'mechanisms by which the movement of said memher is regulated from the governor, no damage could ensue.

This makesla very eflective apparatus for securing acohstant compression under all loads. the operation and many advantages of which it is believed will be fully apparent without turther description.

Having thus described my'invention, l claim:

vided with a piston having anunvariable tively varying the volume of the eom- 12s 1. In an internal combustion engine pro for positively varying the volume of the compression space in the cylinder during the operation of the engine said device including a secondary piston, a stem therefor, and an adjustable member on said stem adapted to vary the normal position of said secondary piston; and means for retaining said device in adjusted position during the compression and explosion ofthe combustible admitted to said compression space.

3. In an internal combustion engine provided with a piston having an unvariable stroke, the combination of an automatic device controlled by the speed of said piston for positively varying the volume of the compression space in the cylinder during the operation of the engine; and fluid-controlled mechanism for locating said device prior to compression and retaining it in adjusted position during the compression and ex- 'plosion of the combustible admitted to said compresslon'space.

4. In an internal combustion engine provided with a piston having an unvariable stroke, the combination of a solid imperforate device adapted to be moved in the cylinder to vary' the volume of the compression space in said cylinder; fluid controlled mechanism regulated by the speed of the engine for effecting said movement prior to compresslon; and means for retaining said device in adjusted position during the compression and explosion of the combustible admitted to said compression space.

. 5. In an internal combustion engine provided with a piston havingan unvariable stroke, the combination of a solid imperforate device adapted to be moved in the cylinder to vary the volume of the compression space in said cylinder; mechanism controlled by the speed of the enginefor effecting said movement prior to compression; and fluid controlled mechanism for retaining said device in adjusted position during the compression and explosion of the combustible admitted to said compression space.

- 6; In aninternal combustion engine'provided with a piston .having an unvariable stroke, the combination of a solid imperfo- ,,rate device adapted to be moved in the cylinder to vary the volume of the com .pression space 1n said cylinder; fluid-controlled mechanism regulated by the speed of the engine for effecting said movement prior to compression; means for retaining said device in adjusted position during the compression and explosion of the combustible admitted to said compression space; and a governor adapted to regulate the movement of said device according to the load and thereby maintain practically a constant compression under varying conditions.

7. In an internal combustion engine provided with a piston having an unvariable stroke, the combination of an open-ended cylinder; an imperforate member completely filling the open end thereof; and fluid-controlled means regulated by the speed of the engine for moving said member longitudinally in said openin prior to compression and retaining it in adjusted position during the compression and explosion of the com.- bustible admitted to the compression space.

8. In an internal combustion engine provided with a piston having an unvariable stroke, the combination of an open-ended cylinder; an imperforate member completely filling the open end thereof; means including li uid-controlled mechanism regulated by the speed of the engine for moving said member longitudinally in said opening prior to compression; and means-for preventing further operation of said fluid-operated mechanism during the compression and explosion of the combustible admitted to the compression space.

9. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a reciprocating piston; a cylinder therefor; a second reciprocating member in a chamber in said'cylinder; a stem .therefor; an adjustable member on said stem; and automatic means coiiperating with said adjustable member for moving said member within said cylinder thereby varying the compression space between said piston and member.

10. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a reciprocating piston; a cylinder therefor; a second reciprocating member in a chamber in said cylinder; fluid-controlled mechanism for moving said member prior to compression within said cylinder thereby varying the compression space between said piston and member; and means for preventing movement of said second reciprocating member during the compression and explosion ofthe combustible admitted to said compression-space.

11. In an internal combustion engine, the

combination of a reciprocating piston; a-

cylinder therefor; movable means on said cylinder for varying the compression space in said cylinder prior to compression; and a fluid-controlled device for preventing movement of said movable means during the compression and ex losion of the combustible admitted to sai compression space.

112. In an internal combustion engine, the

combination of a cylinder member; a 'pis- .ton member therein; movable means on one opening through one end thereof; a recipro eating piston in said cylinder; a reciprocating member in said'opening; a closure for said opening; and means for admitting a fluid between said closure and member to move said member a desired distance and retain it in its new position during the co1n-. pression and explosion of the combustible admitted to the cylinder.

, 14c. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a cylinder; a piston therein; a member in said cylinder beyond the stroke of saidpiston adapted to be moved longitudinally in said cylinder and controlled by the speed of the engine; means for admitting a fluid behind said movable member to move it partially into the compression space; and means for preventing the displacement of said fluid during the compression and explosion of the explosive mixture.

15. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a cylinder provided with an opening through one end thereof; a reciprocating member in said opening; a closure for saidopening' means for admitting a fluid between said closure and member to move said member; means for limiting the movement of said member; and a spring for returning said member to its normal position. 1

16. In an internal combustion engine the combination of a cylinder provided wit an opening through one end thereof; a reciprocating member in said opening; a closure for said opening provided with an inclosed chamber; a fluid mlet tosaid chamber; an outlet therefrom; and a passage from said chamber to the space between said closure and reciprocating member.

17. In an internal'combustion engine, the combination of a cylinder provided with an opening through one end thereof; a reciprocating member in said opening; a closure for saidopening provided with an inclosed chamber; a fluid inlet to said chamber; an

outlet therefrom; a passage from said chamher to the space between said closure and reciprocating member; and a valve for closing said passage.

18. In an-internal combustion engine, the combination of a cylinder provided with an opening through one end thereof; a reciproeating member in said openin a closure for said opening provided with an inclosed chamber; a fluid inlet to said chamber; an outlet therefrom; a passage from said chamher to the space between said closure and reciprocating member; and an automatically operated valve for closing said passage.

19. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a cylinder provided with an opening through one end thereof; a re'ciprocatingmember in said opening; a closure for said opening provided with an inclosed chamber; a fluid inlet to said chamber; an

outlet therefrom; a passage from said chain her to the space between said closure and reciprocating member; and a spring-com trolled valve for closing said passage.

20. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a cylinder provided with an opening through one end thereof; a reciproeating member in said opening; a closure for said opening provided with an inclosed chamher; a fluid inlet to said chamber; an outlet therefrom; a passage from said chamber to the space between said closure and reciprocating member a valve for closing said passage; and means for normally retaining said valve in open position.

21. In'an internal combustion engine, the combination of a cylinder provided with an opening through one end thereof; a reciprocating member in said opening; a closure for said openin provided with an inclosed chamber; a. fiuid inletto said chamber; an outlet therefrom; a passage from said chamher to the space between said closure and re ciprocating member; a spring controlled valve for closing' said passage; and means for regulating the tension of said spring.

22. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a cylinder provided with an opening through one end thereof; ,a reciprocating member in said opening a closure for said openin means for admitting a fluid between sai closure and member to move said member; means for limiting the movement of said member; a spring for returning said member to its normal position; and means for regulating the tension of said spring. I

23. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a cylinder provided with an opening through one end thereof a reciproeating member in said opening; a closure for said opening; means for admitting a fluid in the space between said closure and member; a member secured to said reciprocating member and extending through said closure; a nut thereon; a spring-controlled lever coacting with said nut; and a governor'for controlling the movement of said lever.

24. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a cylinder provided with an opening through one end thereof; a reciprocating member in said'opening; a closure cating member in said opening; a closure for said opening; means for admitting a fluidin the space between said closure and member; a member secured to said reciprocating member and extending through said closure; a nut thereon; a lever co-acting with said nut; a spring-controlled fulcrum member for said lever; a support therefor; and a governor for controlling the movement of said lever.-

26. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a cylinder provided with an opening through one end thereof; a reciprocating member in said opening; a closure for said opening;.means for admitting a fluid in the space between said closure andmemher; a member secured to said reciprocating member and extending through said closure; a nut thereon; a lever coacting with said nut a spring-controlled fulcrum member for said lever; a support therefor; means for adjusting said support; and a governor for controlling the movement of said lever.

27. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a cylinder provided with an opening through one end thereof; a reciprocating member in said opening; a closure for said opening; means for admitting a fluid in the space between said closure and member; a member secured to said reciprocating member and extending through said closure; a fulcrumed lever adapted to move said member;a rocker member for actuating said lever; and governor-controlled mechanism I said ernor may regulate the operation of said defor regulating the movement of said rocker member.

28. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a cylinder provided with an opening through one end thereof; a reciprocating member 'in said opening; a closure for said opening; meansfor admitting a fluid in the space between said closure and member; 21 member secured to said reciprocating member-and extending through said closure; a fulcrumed lever adapted to move said member; a rocker member for actuating said lever; an anti-friction member between said rocker member and lever; and governor-controlled mechanism for regulating the movement of said rocker member.

29. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a cylinder provided with an opening through one end thereof; a reciprocating member in said opening; a closure for said opening; means for admitting a fluid in the space between said closure and member; a member secured to said reciprocating memher and extending through said closure; a lever adapted to move said member; a yielding fulcrum therefor; a rocker member for actuating said lever; and governor controlled mechanism for regulating the movement of said rocker member.

30. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a cylinder member; a piston member therein; a device on one of said members for varying the volume of the compression space in said cylinder; a overnor; and balanced mechanism interposed between governor and device whereby said govvice.

Signed by me at 7 Water st., Boston, Mass, this 6th day'of March, 1908.

OLIN A. STRANAHAN.

-Witnesses:

EDNA O. CLEVELAND, WALTER E. LOMBARD. 

